This Red Light isn't Changing to Green!

[motocopter]

Some states have passed into law that motorcyclists can proceed through a red traffic signal that will not change to green. Generally, a reasonable wait time is required before the rider may pass when exercising good judgement and safety. Some states have objective points before a rider may pass through a red light. If it's a faulty traffic light, the rider may have to prove this fact in court if defending one's self.

Do verify your state or state of interest. This is most recent listing I could find. Each state is listed with a reference.

red-lights-that-will-not-change-for-motorcycles

 

[ZoomerP]

Some states have passed into law that motorcyclists can proceed through a red traffic signal that will not change to green. Generally, a reasonable wait time is required before the rider may pass when exercising good judgement and safety. Some states have objective points before a rider may pass through a red light. If it's a faulty traffic light, the rider may have to prove this fact in court if defending one's self.

Do verify your state or state of interest. This is most recent listing I could find. Each state is listed with a reference.

red-lights-that-will-not-change-for-motorcycles

dead link, listed as "blocked"

It might just be too long. You may be able to get around that by using TinyURL to shorten it up.

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[TravelinLite]

This URL might work.

Motorcycles Can Legally Run Red Lights In These States

Scott Olson/Getty Images Penny Gusner, CarInsurance.com Ever been stuck at a traffic light that takes an excruciating amount of time — what feels like hours — to turn green?Imagine that as a daily …

advgrrl.com

 

[Salth2ofish]

North Carolina Is one of those states. But flipping the high beams off and on a few times seems to work for me as long as it’s dark outside. I’ve had to run my share of red lights at 5:30 am on my commute to work each morning

 

[oldschool]

This URL might work.

Motorcycles Can Legally Run Red Lights In These States

Scott Olson/Getty Images Penny Gusner, CarInsurance.com Ever been stuck at a traffic light that takes an excruciating amount of time — what feels like hours — to turn green?Imagine that as a daily …

advgrrl.com

That link works, and of course my home state of Florida is not on this list. My old trick to get the switches/contacts/whatever in the pavement to work when no car is around was to ride up to the light briskly and brake hard to a stop the last 20 to 30 feet to "add" weight to the front wheel from braking force. Didn't always work, but if not I just made a right on red where possible.

 

[DJ_MI]

Unfortunately Michigan isn’t on the list. I do this already because some of the lights were have here use sensors embedded in the pavement and don’t pick me up. I’m not sitting at a light indefinitely waiting to get clobbered by a drunk or distracted driver.

 

[TravelinLite]

Yea, Florida doesn't give a chit if you have to sit there all day.😒

 

[whisperquiet]

Illinois requires a two minute wait. I wait two seconds if no one is around for traffic lights that I know won’t recognize my motorcycle.

 

[ZoomerP]

I don't know the stats, but many traffic signals use optical detection now, which has been replacing magnetic loops in my area. I can't think of any that rely on weight around me.

I wish there was a foolproof way to trigger an optical system, but they don't always respond to cars if the sun is blinding the camera, or if they ice up.

 

[motocopter]

dead link, listed as "blocked"

It might just be too long. You may be able to get around that by using TinyURL to shorten it up.

TinyURL.com - shorten that long URL into a tiny URL

TinyURL is the original URL shortener that shortens your unwieldly links into more manageable and useable URLs.

tinyurl.com

This URL might work.

Motorcycles Can Legally Run Red Lights In These States

Scott Olson/Getty Images Penny Gusner, CarInsurance.com Ever been stuck at a traffic light that takes an excruciating amount of time — what feels like hours — to turn green?Imagine that as a daily …

advgrrl.com

Got it corrected. Thank you for letting me know.

 

[motocopter]

Unfortunately Michigan isn’t on the list. I do this already because some of the lights were have here use sensors embedded in the pavement and don’t pick me up. I’m not sitting at a light indefinitely waiting to get clobbered by a drunk or distracted driver.

Same here. Looking around, it's clear that no one benefits by a rider waiting for a light to turn green.

 

[MVI]

Damn it, I am calling the Texas Congress to get us on the list

 

[ZoomerP]

I'm not too worried about it, either way. In the unlikely event you're pulled over by the officer that you didn't see while making sure traffic was clear, don't be a douchebag and you stand a good chance of them hearing you out.

Even if you think you proceeded with caution in a dead-red state, if an officer doesn't, or doesn't realize that the signal wasn't responding to you, they can still pull you over. Bear that in mind, don't be a dick while speaking with them, and odds are you'll be on your way without a citation. They see the same shitty driving we see every day, and they can easily find another driver to cite.

 

[klaviator]

Alabama isn't on that list. There are a few intersections I ride through regularly that won't change to green for a bike. I have figured out how to get around those. One for example is a left turn. I normally go straight, pull a U turn and then a right to get where I am going. This has the added benefit of adding a curve into my route. On a straight you can normally take a right, pull a U turn and then a right. Since we have right turn on red that is normally not an issue.

 

[woods]

There's one down the road from me. Its on a main road, 65mph that people do ~80 on. I've tried waiting there before, and it never registered the bike. I just skip it now.

One day, riding home, I skip it. I get pulled over. Never even noticed the cop. Asked me why I didn't wait. Explained to him I live not far away, and have experience with that light not registering the bike.

Are you sure?
[cars blazing by at 70mph]
You want to wait out there in the middle of the road with me and find out?
Fair enough. Enjoy your ride.

That was that.

 

[motocopter]

There's one down the road from me. Its on a main road, 65mph that people do ~80 on. I've tried waiting there before, and it never registered the bike. I just skip it now.

One day, riding home, I skip it. I get pulled over. Never even noticed the cop. Asked me why I didn't wait. Explained to him I live not far away, and have experience with that light not registering the bike.

Are you sure?
[cars blazing by at 70mph]
You want to wait out there in the middle of the road with me and find out?
Fair enough. Enjoy your ride.

That was that.

A reasonable cop! Too bad this can't be realized before pulling over a rider.

 

[Shinyribs]

Most intersections around here have recently adopted "left turn on red", so to speak. If you've got a flashing yellow that means you can turn left if traffic is clear. It pretty much alleviates this issue , which only had happen to me once that I can remember.

 

[Danno]

The strips work on magnetic field. I criss cross the last few feet and usually get it. Some lights the starter can be used to get the magnetic signature. If all else fails in any situation with prying eyes....I stick the keys in my pocket and push. Legally I become a pedestrian with a load. So pedestrian laws now apply. So if a school bus stops for a kid that takes 20 mins to come out the house.....I can switch to pedestrian mode. Just make sure the key is in your pocket.

 

[CPRBUSA]

Putting your sidestand down is another way to trip the magnetic type. Yes I know some bikes may have sidestand down overrides, just be prepared to hit the joy button. If you have to kickstart it... well, hell just run it.

 

[motocopter]

Had a suspicion and went to check the side stand on the AT--it's not steel. Magnet does stick to the KLX side stand.